Kolkata, 17 April (H.S.) : Ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections, the controversy surrounding an alleged sting video involving Humayun Kabir has intensified, with a petition now being filed before the Calcutta High Court seeking an impartial probe into the matter.

The case was filed on Friday before the bench of Justice Sougata Bhattacharyya by a founding member of the Amjanata Unnayan Party. The petitioner alleged that the video was prepared and circulated as part of a conspiracy to tarnish Kabir’s image.

The plea sought directions from the court for an independent investigation into the authenticity and circumstances surrounding the video. The matter is likely to be heard on April 22.

The controversy began after an alleged sting video of Humayun Kabir surfaced on April 9. In the clip, he was purportedly heard speaking with a BJP leader.

In the alleged conversation, Kabir was heard saying that he wanted to remove Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee from power at any cost.

The video also claimed that Kabir had spoken with Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari and that there were plans to take him to Delhi to meet the central leadership. References were also allegedly made to contacts in the Prime Minister’s Office and with Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.

In another purported remark in the video, Kabir was allegedly heard saying that if Muslim voters moved away from Mamata Banerjee, Hindu voters would automatically shift towards the BJP.

Following the emergence of the video, political exchanges and allegations have intensified in the state. Attention is now focused on the forthcoming hearing in the Calcutta High Court.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh